Columbus' largest businesses have formed Columbus Collaboratory to share consumer data.

5:00AM

March 12, 2014

Seven of Columbus’s biggest firms are making a big bet on big data. They have joined together to form a new company to collect and share information. It’s called the Columbus Collaboratory and leaders say it will create 100 new jobs.

Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman said recommendations will be forthcoming soon regarding the future of Nationwide Arena and the Columbus Blue Jackets. And the mayor pushed for a joint management agreement between Nationwide and Value City Arenas.

One of the leading opponents to a downtown Columbus casino was very much for a similar development in Pittsburgh. Nationwide Realty Investors is credited with guiding the development of the very successful Columbus Arena District. Four years ago Nationwide wanted to build a similar district in Pittsburgh; but that one would have included a casino.

The Blue Jackets have signed twenty-five year-old Rick Nash to an 8-year contract extension – reportedly worth more than 62 million. But the contract extension comes at a time when the Jackets are struggling with tens of millions of dollars in losses.

Several hundred motorcycle riding employees at Nationwide Insurance invited other Ohio bikers downtown today. It’s the second year the Columbus-based company has participated in National Ride to Work Day.

Prospective Ohio drivers would see added training requirements and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles would be allowed to accept credit and debit cards under a state transportation budget that easily cleared the Ohio House on Tuesday.